How to identify a first printing
- Scholarly institutional press. Trade monographs and catalogues: copyright-page number line where present (line ending in 1 = first printing) and/or 'First edition' plus year.
- Huntington Library Quarterly and other serials: identified by volume/number/date.
- Distributed titles (e.g. via University of California Press): follow the distributor's conventions and ISBN.
- Fine or facsimile/exhibition publications may be issued in stated limited editions — identify by the limitation statement.
Notable points & cautions
- Publishing began in 1920 with facsimile reproductions of rare collection items, expanding to bibliographies and scholarly monographs.
- Distribution partnerships shifted over time, affecting ISBN and imprint; verify the number-line convention per title.
- Facsimile, exhibition, and limited publications are the collectible categories.
- Primarily a research library; publishing is a secondary activity.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Huntington Library Press, Huntington Library Quarterly (serial), co-published/distributed with University of California Press and others. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my The Huntington Library (Huntington Library Press) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Scholarly institutional press. Trade monographs and catalogues: copyright-page number line where present (line ending in 1 = first printing) and/or 'First edition' plus year. Huntington Library Quarterly and other serials: identified by volume/number/date.
Does The Huntington Library (Huntington Library Press) use a number line?
Huntington Library Quarterly and other serials: identified by volume/number/date.
Is a book-club edition a The Huntington Library (Huntington Library Press) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Publishing began in 1920 with facsimile reproductions of rare collection items, expanding to bibliographies and scholarly monographs.
What era does this cover?
This covers The Huntington Library (Huntington Library Press) (1920s–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.